Damian Lillard - 8
It has been a difficult season for Damian Lillard and he has documented his off-court struggles following the move to Milwaukee from Portland.
Despite this, individually, he has still had a solid season, averaging 24.3 points and seven assists. The points, of course, dropped, as the offense in Portland was built around him, and he is now playing alongside another superstar and All-Star caliber players. The shooting splits are the slight worry, with his field goal percentage dropping to 42.5 and his 3-point percentage to 35.4 percent.
Without Giannis, he is really going to need to step up, and he has shown what he can do in the playoffs with Portland in the past when leading the team. Now, with Patrick Beverley in the starting lineup, it takes the defensive weight off of him and Lillard can focus on the offensive game and play with that confidence we know he has.
Across his playoff career, he has averaged 25.7 points, but his last postseason appearance in 2021 was the best of his career. Lillard averaged 34.3 points and 10 assists on 46 percent from the field and 45 percent from three. We know he is clutch, and that is what has me at an eight on the confidence meter. When the lights shine bright and he is required to be clutch, he has done it time and time again.
Despite a difficult regular season at times, I think Lillard can bring his A game when it really matters and we will see his best basketball in a Bucks jersey in the playoffs.